Sunday, February 3, 2008

Had a great time down in Cali this weekend. I had been a bit sick all week (sore throat, stuffy nose), but it wasn't really hindering me. So on Friday, I did a great school visit at Woodside Elementary (between San Jose and San Francisco), which has one of those beautiful made-for-TV outdoor campuses (no hallways, lockers just under a porch roof, etc.--very 90210, except without the evil). I started off by guest-teaching three 5th-grade art classes back-to-back-to-back, which was a blast, and then gave a presentation to the 2nd and 3rd grades in the library.

After a lunch break, I went across the street to the Woodside Public Library, and gave another presentation to the 4th graders, who walked over and helped me make the library far, far too loud.

By the end, I noticed that I was a bit hoarse.

By that night, my voice was squeaky.

By Saturday morning, I could only speak in a whisper.

So, I went to the Orion authors and illustrators festival, where they brought out the throat-coat herbal tea and an endless supply of bottled water, and where I sat and silently signed books, miming my response to questions. I gave my presentation to a packed room—through a megaphone. I think people will remember it, even if they couldn't hear it all!

All in all, a ball of fun, and some very enthusiastic and understanding parents and young readers. (And great young artists! Their versions of the Babymouse characters were stellar.) I highly recommend it to anyone (author or reader) who wants to go next year!